§ 3. Mr. A. Royleasked the Minister of Transport what steps he is taking to remove anxiety caused by the uncertainty over the future of the Richmond to Broad Street railway line.
§ 9. Mr. Dudley Smithasked the Minister of Transport whether he has now received a recommendation from British Rail as to 420 the future of the Richmond to Broad Street railway line.
§ Mr. Tom FraserI have received no proposals from the Railways Board about the Richmond-Broad Street line. The Board announced on 24th February that it was continuing its investigations to try to find more economic ways of running the service. It is my hope that these investigations will yield a solution acceptable to all concerned.
§ Mr. RoyleThis really is not good enough. Is the Minister aware that during the General Election campaign an assurance was given by his party that it would relieve the uncertainty regarding the future of this line? Is he aware that his Parliamentary Secretary gave me an assurance during a debate in this House on 11th December that the uncertainty would be relieved, and that this has not taken place? When will the Minister give this House an assurance that if the suggestion is put to him by the Railways Board that this line should be closed, he will turn that suggestion down?
§ Mr. FraserI cannot understand hon. Gentlemen opposite at all. My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary gave an assurance that we would do our best to have the uncertainty removed. We had consultations with the Railways Board and the Board made an announcement on 24th February, the purpose of which was to remove uncertainty.
§ Mr. FraserThe hon. Member says that it has not. I cannot help him if he feels uncertain about this or any other matter. The position is that the Railways Board is not at the moment proposing to close the Richmond-Broad Street line. It has said that it is undertaking an investigation to see whether there are better ways of running the service rather than closing the line. We must await the outcome of the investigations before I make any pronouncement.
§ Mr. Dudley SmithSurely, as this matter has dragged on for nearly two years, the right hon. Gentleman can say that if a proposal is made he will reject it because of the hardship which would be caused to London commuters?
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. That question must be out of order, because it is hypothetical.
§ Mr. RoyleIn view of the unsatisfactory nature of the Minister's reply, I beg to give notice that I shall endeavour to raise the matter on the Adjournment.